Body Armor: Few Paybacks

The Pentagon initially opposed efforts to reimburse troops in Iraq and Afghanistan for the cost of body armor and other gear they had purchased themselves. Defense officials told Congress that the program would be a budget-buster, but legislators went ahead with it anyway. And now, the New York Times reports, fewer than 70 military personnel have actually requested reimbursement for protective gear. The Army, with 30 of those requests, has paid out only $22,000 in claims.